[Sticky] Worried about someone’s gambling? You’re not alone — and there is help for you too. 

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When someone you care about is struggling with gambling, it can feel overwhelming. You might be dealing with stress, confusion, or even a sense of helplessness. But there are practical ways to support them, and to look after yourself in the process.  

Taking simple steps now can make a real difference. Here are three free tools that can help protect your loved one from gambling activity, while also giving you both some breathing space. 

  • GamCare – Offers free, confidential support for anyone affected by gambling.  Trained staff can talk through what’s going on and help you plan the best next steps - for your loved one, and for you.  Click here to find out more. Talk to us 
  • Gamban – Free blocking software that can be installed on their devices (and even yours) to block access to gambling sites and apps. Click here Gamban  
  • GAMSTOP – A self-exclusion service that prevents access to UK-licensed gambling websites and apps. Click here GamStop 

Please note: You can’t sign up or register for Gamstop on behalf of someone else.  

Using these tools together, blocking software, self-exclusion, and emotional support, helps break the cycle of gambling and opens the door to more stability, trust, and recovery.  

You don’t have to handle this alone. Support is here for both you and the person you care about . 

Has anyone used TalkBanStop? What was that like? 

Can anyone share how self-exclusion tools helped you? 

 

 
Posted : 19th August 2025 9:35 am
(@emzn7d0wts)
Posts: 1
 

Hi there everyone.  I’m looking for gambling advice.  My son has started gambling and it’s getting out of control.  He registered with GamStop so can’t gamble online but now he has started going into casinos in town instead.  I’m just wondering if there is anything I can do to get these casinos to stop letting him in or does he have to do it himself? Just thinking that maybe bcos he is with Gamstop that maybe they would do it if I made them aware of it 😬

 
Posted : 24th August 2025 10:23 pm
Forum admin
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@emzn7d0wts I do apologise that you have not received a response to your post. MOSES will be there to support your son if he has moved to land-based gambling, but ultimately he would need to make the call. Our helpline is here for you if you need support. Feel free to contact on 0808 8020 133 - it is available 24/7.

 
Posted : 27th October 2025 6:09 pm
Emdadul Huq
(@nisqjoklxz)
Posts: 6
 

I totally get this. When someone you love is stuck in gambling, it eats at you too. I tried GamCare for advice, and the people there were genuinely kind. They didn’t judge — just listened and helped me figure out small steps to take.

 
Posted : 31st October 2025 7:32 pm
(@former-user)
Posts: 155
 

I found it really helpful to talk openly with someone I trusted about what was going on. Keeping it all in made everything feel even worse. You're definitely not alone.

 
Posted : 11th December 2025 3:57 pm
(@former-user)
Posts: 155
 

I found it helpful to look into what kind of gambling sites were being used—my partner spent hours on online sites without me even realizing. Once I knew where the time and money were going, it got easier to talk about it and figure out what support they might actually need. Watching for those small signs early on made a big difference in how I approached things.

This post was modified 6 months ago by Forum admin
 
Posted : 15th December 2025 5:34 pm
(@x08irbjd2t)
Posts: 1
 

Can relationships recover after the breakdown in trust/ lies/ gambling issues if they love each other but hurting from the lies?

 
Posted : 25th January 2026 3:10 pm
Forum admin
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Hello, 

Yes it is possible for relationships to recover from gambling. There is lots of support available for relationships that are being affected by gambling. Our helpline is open 24/7 and one of our advisors would be more than happy to signpost you to appropriate support 

Thank you for using our Forum

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Posted : 25th January 2026 11:09 pm

We are available 24 hours a day, every day of the year. You can also contact us for free on 0808 80 20 133. If you would like to find out more about the service before you start, including information on confidentiality, please click below. Call recordings and chat transcripts are saved for 28 days for quality assurance.

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